CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer has again suggested that a “Government Remuneration Tribunal” be set up to deal with salaries and benefits of the Government and the Public Service.
He repeated this proposal in his speech at the opening of the 2023 Legal Year last week.
“I have suggested that a “Government Remuneration Tribunal”, similar to the model in Vanuatu be set up, by legislation, which can be responsible for dealing with the salaries and benefits of all other leaders (including Constitutional Post holders) in the Government and Provincial Governments, and the Public Service, Sir Albert said.
“So, whenever there is a review done on salaries, this body can liaise closely with the “Members of Parliament (Entitlements) Commission”, so that it is considered on a holistic basis and not piecemeal or reactionary,” he added
He said that is proposed again, in terms of a permanent solution to this important issue, so that whenever there a movement in salary increase there is a corresponding movement right across in the public service.
“At the heart of any employer / employee relationship whether in the private or public sector is the issue of salaries.
“In our industrial society, labour is not free, neither is it cheap.
“In today’s society whether in the village setting, provincial or national setting, if you want something to be done, you must be prepared to pay for it, including an essential component of it being labour.”
Sir Albert stressed that whether there is a salary increase now for everyone or not, it is bound to feature in the next year, or the next and so on.
“So we cannot sweep it under the carpet and hope it goes away.”
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
